An aspirant for the Akoko Southeast/Southwest Federal Constituency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Richard Ogunrotifa, has criticised the legislation, describing it as less a shield for voters and more a suit of armour for incumbents.

In contrast, a member of the Lagos State chapter All Progressives Congress (APC), Foud Oki, declined to provide detailed comments on the campaign spending limits in the Act. He argued that until the complete draft is made public, “there is no need to start addressing its content in piecemeal.”

Echoing concerns over transparency, two senators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged Nigerians to pressure both the Presidency and the National Assembly to release the full text of the law. The lawmakers questioned why, more than a week after presidential assent, the document had not yet been published. They alleged possible foul play and suggested that the version signed into law might differ from what was passed by the legislature.

While Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Act as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic consolidation, Ogunrotifa insists it reflects political expediency rather than the collective interest of citizens. In a statement, he accused the National Assembly of operating in isolation from the realities of Nigerians and conducting the legislative process behind closed doors, without robust public hearings or grassroots consultations.

“Members of the National Assembly are constitutionally entrusted with representing the will of the people,” he said, adding that many Nigerians now perceive lawmakers as disconnected from those they represent. He contrasted the speed with which legislators approve adjustments to their salaries and allowances with what he described as the slow and diluted handling of critical electoral reforms.

Warning that political power is transient, Ogunrotifa cautioned that lawmakers who enact self-serving laws today could become victims of the same provisions tomorrow. According to him, the 2026 Electoral Act appears more like a reactive quick fix than a strategic blueprint for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

So far, disclosed provisions of the Act include mandatory electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal, compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), abolition of indirect primaries, increased campaign spending limits, digital party membership registers, stiffer penalties for electoral offences, and guaranteed early funding for INEC.